Femena

Class

Dicotyledons

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Asteraceae or Compositae

Order

Asterales

Genus

Lactuca

Species

sativa

Description

An annual herbaceous plant cultivated mainly for its leaves or leaf-stalks of variable colour, size and flavour depending on the variety, which are widely used in cooking. It prefers temperate climates and well-drained soils.

Variety description

The femena variety is a lettuce of the 'cappuccina' type with a head with thick, wrap-around leaves, very tender and with a whole or slightly wavy edge. The head is round and rather tight with an average weight of 400-500 g. The variety is suitable for spring-summer and autumn open-field cultivation. Very rustic and vigorous plant with a compact or semi-open head. The leaf has a beautiful bright blond green colour. The head has a flat base and a small diameter cut. High seed tolerance in the indicated growing period. Like most lettuces it has a particularly rapid development cycle, 27-30 days in the summer period, and is therefore very sensitive to the timely management of the various cultivation operations which, when applied, can bring out its full potential.

Curiosities and special features

Lettuce is low in calories and rich in water, fibre and mineral salts; eaten raw, less frequently cooked, it is widely used in Mediterranean cuisine to prepare salads, to enrich soups or to accompany meat or fish dishes.

Origin and distribution

Its origin is still uncertain; according to some studies, the species is native to western Asia. Already used by the ancient Egyptians, both for the oil from its seeds and for its leaves, it was also cultivated by the Romans and Greeks who attributed therapeutic properties to it. Today it is present in a wide range of varieties, some of which were already selected during the Renaissance, and cultivated for food purposes in all temperate climate zones.

Flower size

The flower individually is medium small.

Leaf

The leaves have an oblong, obovate, oval lamina during the vegetative development of the plant.

Fruit

The Foglia-costa is oblong in shape and seedless, with a weight of 400 to 500 g and a diameter of 25 to 35 cm. The thickness measures 0 mm, while the texture is characterised by a tender leaf and a crispy rib. The colour is unicoloured and the skin is not edible. The ripening period extends from mid-spring to mid-autumn. The taste is fresh and delicate, with a characteristic, sweet-sour and intense flavour, while it is unscented. The plant is rather vigorous with leaves that are always well stretched, characterised by good organoleptic characteristics.

Flowering period

It flowers from late spring to early summer for a duration of 25 to 35 days.

Inflorescence

Inflorescence panicle.

Leaf colour

Unicolour shades.

Plant height

The height of the plant varies from 0.2 to 0.3 m.

Lifespan

Annual-cycle plant.

Where to plant

Versatile variety, suitable for growing in beds, large pots, open field, outdoor tubs, borders

Stem

The stem is herbaceous, the variety has no thorns.

Flower

The flower is simple in form, medium to small, with a gamopetalous corolla and single-coloured petals. It is arranged in medium-sized panicle-like inflorescences. It flowers from late spring to early summer, with a flowering period of between 25 and 35 days. It is attractive to bees, butterflies and bumblebees.

Growth

Compact growing variety.

Plant habit

The final habitus assumed by the plant is cespitose.

PH

The ideal pH of the soil or growing medium ranges from slightly acidic to neutral, with optimum values between 6.0 and 7.0.

Soil preparation

Before the spring-summer transplanting in the open field, for a correct preparation of the soil, it is advisable to carry out a 20-30 cm deep digging, removing any weeds, bulky stones and residues of previous crops, proceed with the burying of organic or chemical fertiliser that will provide the necessary nutrients in the first phases of the plant's development and, with the help of a hoe, break up the more compact and coarse clods to also favour a better distribution of the fertiliser. In order to improve the drainage of excess water, thus preventing harmful water stagnation, continue by creating a raised bed by slightly bouldering the soil, and finally carefully level the surface by preparing the postarelle according to a suitable planting density.

During cultivation, continue working the soil by hoeing the first 2-3 cm, taking care to remove weeds adjacent to the plant and at the same time break up any surface crust.

Sun exposure

Suitable for exposure in half shade, full sun, afternoon sun, sheltered from intense wind.

Ideal climate and temperature

It adapts well to hot and humid summer climates. The ideal temperature is between 12 and 25 °C. The biological temperature is between 4 and 35 °C.

Use

Widely used in:

Agribusiness

Hardiness

Variety with medium to high hardiness, tolerates humid heat well.

Soil

It prefers medium-textured or sandy, fresh, well-draining soil with organic matter; for cultivation in pots, use a specific potting soil for horticultural plants containing blond and brown peat.

Difficulty

Cultivation is extremely easy, adding value to the crop. With a low level of management effort, excellent production results can be achieved. It is suggested that all cultivation interventions be carried out with the correct timeliness, especially during the summer period.

Growing tips

Some useful tips and cultivation aspects specific to this variety of lettuce:
Balanced fertilisation Prefers warm and humid climate

Intercropping/combination

It can be grown in intercropping with garlic, asparagus, Swiss chard, artichoke, thistle, carrot, cabbage, cucumber, chicory, onion, string bean, aubergine, pepper, tomato, leek and courgette.

Planting

When transplanting, consider an average density of 10 plants per square metre in order to ensure proper development of each specimen. The soil must be soft and in a temperate condition after tilling.

Plant young seedlings, with intact, white roots, by placing them on a raised bed of 15-20 cm with the collar off the soil surface, avoiding completely sinking the lump and irrigating immediately after planting, preferably during the morning hours.

Read more on the Joyflo blog

Pruning

Pruning is limited to harvesting with cleaning of the edible part of the plant.

Propagation

Reproduction is by seed.

Watering

Use rainwater or aqueduct water, either manually or by irrigation. When transplanting, assist the seedling to ensure that it develops properly in its new site by keeping it at a constant humidity without exceeding the amount of water given. Then allow the soil or substrate to dry slightly between irrigation sessions, avoiding waterlogging. The water supply must also be commensurate with the retention capacity of the soil, paying particular attention during the second half of the vegetative development phase.

Fertilising

During pre-transplant soil preparation, carry out basic fertilisation by burying slow-release organo-mineral fertiliser. Then apply liquid fertiliser specific for horticulture, to be diluted in the irrigation water according to the dosage and frequency proportionate to the plant's needs. For varieties with a short production cycle, take care to fertilise at the correct times to avoid a reduction in the quality and quantity of the final product harvested.

Pet safety

Ingestion toxicity for pets not known; consider the specific case and consult with your veterinarian before administration.

Edibility for humans

Edible variety.

Toxicity for humans

The edible part, if harvested at the right stage of ripeness, well preserved and taken in suitable quantities, does not cause ingestion toxicity; however, consider the specific individual case.

Tip

Given the short development cycle for the production of this lettuce, it is important to observe all cultivation instructions. If this is done, the result will be full and unblemished. In fact, even one day of plant distress is enough to compromise part of the quality and quantity of the product.